Morning links: Stopping Cam Newton

In my story today, Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner had a simple answer when asked how to slow down Carolina quarterback Cam Newton – make him beat you with his arm.

“I don’t think we let Cam run on us like that,” Wagner said. “We’ll let him throw the ball, try to beat us throwing, which I don’t think he can do.”

For the Seahawks, that strategy worked in the team’s 16-12 victory at Carolina last season. Newton threw a potential, winning touchdown to tight end Ben Hartsock in the dirt on his way to finishing with a season-low in passing yards (141) and completions (12).

However, head coach Ron Rivera said he simplified the offense in the second half of 2012, which resulted in much better production from the No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 draft.

Read Next

The News Tribune offers a sports-only digital subscription for $30 a year with all the reporting from sports writers Gregg Bell, TJ Cotterill, Lauren Kirschman and Lauren Smith on the Mariners, Seahawks, Huskies and high schools.